My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with

is so

knife and a paper plate,

on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday.

which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

sing the

Rachel must close her eyes and make a

blow

to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go

he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

My mommy says you have to say it in your

wasn’t even at table height

her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake

thank you!”

dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t

worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At

upstairs, then.

she turned and headed

was inside her apartment and about to close

loud slam, the door was propped open by a large hand

her head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

on

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door

you’ve been

two steps back.

her as he pulled off his necktie and threw

suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

approached her, forcing

Rachel had no idea what she

arm and pulled, she staggered after him and